£835k Town Deal boost to help ring in changes for bell foundry
EFFORTS to save Taylor’s historic bell foundry have been given a significant boost by Loughborough Town Deal.
The Town Deal has confirmed funding to the tune of £835,000 to support the project to save the last major bell foundry in Britain.
It is one of 11 projects Loughborough Town Deal is backing after securing £16.9 million of government funding. In total, the projects are worth more than £40 million of investment for the town.
The Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust is restoring the historic Grade II* bell foundry in Freehold Street to save this iconic piece of the nation’s industrial heritage. Taylor’s bells can literally be heard ringing around the world.
The Town Deal Board is co-chaired by Councillor Jonathan Morgan, leader of Charnwood Borough Council, and Dr Nik Kotecha, chairman of Loughborough-based Morningside Pharmaceuticals.
Cllr Morgan said: “I am delighted we can now confirm Town Deal funding for this project.
“As the last major bell foundry in the UK, it is vital we do everything we can to save it, not just for the town of Loughborough but also our nation’s heritage.
“The bell foundry trust has done a wonderful job in securing a significant amount of funding from various sources, including the Town Deal, to save this iconic building.”
Dr Kotecha said: “I am delighted the Town Deal is investing in the bell foundry.
“Not only is it important from a heritage point of view but also for the local tourism economy, which supports jobs and growth.
“Taylor’s is a unique place and by making it more accessible we can attract more visitors to the area which supports other businesses. This is a great example of how the Town
Deal benefits Loughborough and its communities now, and for many years to come.”
Bellfoundry Museum director Dr Chrissie Van Mierlo said: “The entire bell foundry team would like to say a huge thank you to the Town Deal Board for their investment.
“Our mission to Save the Last Major Bellfoundry in Britain is a real passion project that’s been many years in the making. These vital funds have given our plans an enormous boost.
“We are incredibly proud of our town’s industrial past, so we are honoured and privileged to play a key role in its future.
“The people of Loughborough have blown us away with their enthusiasm for our site. We can’t wait to welcome them to the bell foundry to see what it’s all about!”
The Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust has already secured £3.5 million of National Lottery support for its project which will:
■ Repair the iconic Victorian casting hall and workshop where bells are created;
■ Preserve and expand the foundry’s vast archive, which relate to over 10,000 bells and bell towers around the globe;
■ Improve access to the site so anyone can visit and experience this unique place;
■ Overhaul and improve the only bell museum in the country;
■ Repair the tuning shop where the principles of the harmonic tuning of bells were developed in the 1890s;
■ Reinstate the Foundry’s Carillon;
■ Reengage with young people and learners to preserve the foundry’s unique craft skills.
Loughborough Town Deal is supporting a number of projects to boost skills, improve the town centre, reduce flooding, regenerate the riverside, develop a creative hub and support two key attractions – Great Central Railway and the bell foundry.
So far, Loughborough Town Deal has invested £750,000 to create a Careers and Enterprise Hub in Loughborough town centre which opened in the summer of 2021 and £1.7 million to support the Bedford Square Gateway Project which is regenerating part of the town centre.
Combined with the bell foundry project, that brings Town Deal investment in Loughborough so far to around £3.3 million.
As the last major bell foundry in the UK, it is vital we do everything we can to save it
Cllr Jonathan Morgan